Amarette Nips La Ina in German Oaks

Trainer Andreas Schultz won Hamburg's German Oaks (Ger-I) for the third time in a row Sunday when Amarette, making just her third career start, held off America-bound La Ina and Saldentigerin in a driving finish.

It was Schultz's fifth win in seven years in the pferdewetten.de Deutsches Stuten-Derby - Preis der Diana.

With Andreas Suborics aboard, Amarette, racing forwardly in the 1 3/8-mile event, gained the advantage about a quarter-mile from home and dug in soon after to hold off the late-running La Ina by a head. Saldentigerin, the 17-10 favorite in the 16-horse field, closed steadily and finished a half-length behind.

La Ina, purchased by Team Valor prior to her second-place finish in the One Thousand Guineas, made her final start for trainer Andreas Trybuhl. She is to resume her career in the United States. La Ina was the runner-up in all three German classics this season.

Gestut Schlenderhan bred and owns Amarette, a daughter of Monsun who is unbeaten.

Schultz said Amarette is on course for the German Derby (Ger-I) on July 4, where he already has two of the leading candidates, Fight Club and Shirocco.

Sent off at slightly better than 4-1, Amarette was under extreme pressure in the run to the wire. La Ina, 14th with a half-mile left to run, rallied powerfully, squeezing through a hole at the hedge with a furlong to go to just miss. Saldentigerin, ridden by Richard Quinn, was roughed up a bit on the first turn and was late to get into her best stride. The final time for the 11 furlongs on good ground was 2:20.24.

La Hermana was fourth, followed by Dalicia, a 76-1 shot who closed well from last. Iduna (6), Vallera (7), Daytona (8), Cotrina (9), Freedom (10), Sword Roche (11), Estefania (12), Ahlefsia (13), Give Me Five (14) and Song Of Night (15) completed the order of finish. Rawhide pulled up.